Slowing Down to Savor the Soil
As I stepped off the boat in Santander, Spain, after a leisurely two-day journey from Ireland, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude wash over me. The world had not yet known the name “COVID-19,” and I was looking forward to a week of slow travel along the northern Spanish coastline before returning to my home in Plum Village, France. Little did I know that in just a few short weeks, the border between Spain and France would close, and my community would be thrust into an unexpected lockdown.
Upon arriving at Plum Village, the announcement came that the Spring Retreat had been canceled, and the monastery would be closed to guests for the foreseeable future. As a member of the Happy Farm team, I felt a mix of emotions – saddened by the loss of our usual vibrant community, yet determined to find the silver lining in this new reality.
The Happy Farm, as it’s affectionately known, is a microcosm of the diverse Plum Village community, with team members hailing from countries around the world. As we entered lockdown, we found ourselves in a unique cocoon, sheltering together and deepening our connection to the land.
Cultivating Joy in the Present Moment
Despite the uncertainty and hardship unfolding in the world beyond our gates, the Happy Farm team remained steadfast in our commitment to mindfulness and service. We recognized the privilege of having access to nature, community, and the ability to continue our work as organic farmers.
In those early days of the pandemic, I found myself constantly reminding myself to slow down and savor the present moment. As Thich Nhat Hanh taught, “Happiness is a fruit that we can harvest each day, each moment as we practice with the land.” By fully immersing ourselves in the rhythms of the farm, we could cultivate joy and peace, even in the face of global turmoil.
Our daily service meditations became a cherished practice, a time to connect with one another and the wider world, holding space for the suffering and uncertainty experienced by so many. As the Happy Farm bell rang, we would pause, our “body, speech, and mind held in perfect oneness,” sending our hearts and intentions to all those in need.
Deepening Connections, Broadening Perspectives
One of the most poignant aspects of our experience during this time was the deepening of connections within our own farm community. With the usual influx of volunteers unable to join us, the monastic community stepped in to lend a hand, coming to the farm for regular work mornings. This exchange not only provided much-needed assistance but also fostered a greater understanding and appreciation for the hard work and spiritual practice of organic farming.
As we shared our experiences and perspectives, the monastic brothers gained a newfound respect for the importance of maintaining a connection to the land and the skills required to grow our own food. For the farming team, having the opportunity to host the brothers and share our practice was a profound honor, planting seeds of understanding that we hope will ripple outward.
Embracing the Rhythms of Nature
Throughout the ever-changing seasons, the Happy Farm continued to thrive, our harvests abundant despite the lack of guests. As I reflect on this time, I am struck by the profound gratitude I feel for the natural world and our ability to sustain ourselves through the gifts of the earth.
Community-supported agriculture (CSA) services, like the one I’m proud to be a part of, offer a unique opportunity to deepen our connection to the land and to the rhythms of nature. By participating in the cultivation, harvest, and distribution of local, organic produce, we become active stewards of the environment, nurturing the soil and promoting sustainable practices.
As I kneel down and touch the earth beneath me, I am reminded of my fundamental oneness with this living, breathing planet. In the stillness of the forest or the gentle lapping of the lake, I find solace and a renewed sense of purpose. The challenges we face as a global community are daunting, but by grounding ourselves in the wisdom of the natural world, we can begin to heal and transform.
Cultivating Community, Cultivating Resilience
The Happy Farm experience has taught me that true resilience is not found in isolation, but in the strength of our connections and the depth of our understanding. As we weathered the storms of the pandemic, our farm community grew closer, our shared experiences and practices binding us together in a profound way.
This sense of community and collective stewardship is at the heart of the CSA movement. By joining together to support local, sustainable agriculture, we not only nourish our bodies but also our spirits. We become active participants in the cycle of growth, harvest, and renewal, learning to appreciate the inherent value of each season and the patience required to tend to the land.
In these uncertain times, the lessons learned on the Happy Farm have taken on a new urgency. As we face the escalating challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and social unrest, the need for communities to come together, to cultivate mindfulness, and to reconnect with the natural world has never been more pressing.
Harvesting a Harmonious Future
As I look ahead to the future, I am filled with a renewed sense of hope and determination. The Happy Farm has shown me that by slowing down, by embracing the rhythms of nature, and by cultivating a deep sense of community, we can transform ourselves and the world around us.
Through our participation in CSA services like Thornapple CSA, we have the power to support local, sustainable agriculture, to nourish our bodies and our spirits, and to build resilient communities that can weather any storm.
So let us embrace the practice of happy farming, of mindful cultivation, and of harmonious living. Let us be the change we wish to see in the world, one seed, one harvest, one community at a time. For in the end, the true wealth we reap is not just the bountiful produce, but the deep, abiding connections that sustain us, body and soul.
